Livelihoods of Forest-dependent People in Kaptai National Park (original) (raw)

Forests provide both a home and livelihood for people living in and around them and serve as vital safety nets for the rural poor. In Bangladesh, forest resources are being depleted at alarming rates due to over exploitation. Local communities practice swidden farming (jhum) in hill districts in Bangladesh and survive lean periods by collecting wild fruits, leaves, and tubers from forest reserves. In response to growing pressures on forests, in 2009 the Bangladesh Forest Department initiated a co-management program with the assistance of the Integrated Protected Area and Co-Management (IPAC) Project. In this paper I examine the livelihood patterns and needs of residents in two villages (Bangchari and Kamillochari) in Kaptai National Park in order to highlight how conservation can be linked to the welfare of local communities. I argue that local residents are fully dependent on the park and are therefore excited to participate in co-management programs.